One of the most popular of the images I made in the 80s, Sudden Storm depicts a thunderstorm in America’s happiest place. Over two hundred figures scatter as the rain hits: parents search for missing children, adults cower under newspaper and jackets, and even Mickey and Donald dash for cover as a little brat pesters them. In the sky the clouds swirl, and a gnome’s visage seems to be peering out of one. It reminded me of ET, and try as I might, I couldn’t get the damn face to disappear. It only morphed into another form. I finally realized it was meant to be.
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Awesome. All the figures imbue energy. lol @ the E.T. in the sky!
Disneyland! Seemingly being destroyed. Everybody loves Disneyland, and hates it, too.
1 kudo
Let’s see, May 21st? No. Now it is October 21st…. There are so many things to love in this painting, Scott, that it would take all day to list them. It is just so completely incongruous with LA and that is why I love it. Anything is possible here with a big dollop of imagination, and you have plenty of that!
I’ve only been to Disneyland a couple of times, so there is a lot of imagination here. I think you’re in there, too, Grady. That charming fellow towards the back…
I’ve always liked this one, even though I know it’s a popular one. It’s sort of an apocolypse light, perfect for SoCal and less filling than regular apocolypse.
I think you should can your apocalypse and sell it by the six-pack. Apocalypse Classic. Apocalypse Zero, with no calories! Maybe some in mini cans, for those that don’t have time for the full Apocalypse…
Sudden Storm
F. Scott Hess (b. 1955)
Sudden Storm
1987
oil on canvas
87 × 121 inches
1 Sudden Storm
2 Sudden Storm Notes
3 Preparatory Sketch 1
4 Preparatory Sketch 2
5 Preparatory Sketch 3
6 Preparatory Sketch 4
F. Scott Hess Museum
The American Scene
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F. Scott Hess




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